Painting a room may seem overwhelming at first, but with the right approach, anyone can do it like a pro. Whether you’re refreshing an old space or giving a brand-new look to your home, knowing the best room painting tips makes all the difference. From preparing the space and choosing quality tools to painting the ceiling and walls without streaks, this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to paint a room and achieve a smooth, professional finish.
Room Painting Tips and Tricks
If you’ve never painted a room before, it’s best to start with a small one to gain some experience. Room painting may feel exhausting, making a small room the ideal place to gain experience. The most time-consuming parts of painting a room are preparation, painting the ceiling, and covering the walls without leaving roller or brush marks. The key to painting like a professional is achieving smooth, even walls. From preparation to painting the ceiling and walls, here are the steps to paint a room like a pro.
1-Choose Quality Paint, Rollers, and Brushes
The secret to a professional-looking paint job is using high-quality materials. A good brush and roller won’t shed bristles or leave streaks while painting a room. They also help reduce splatter. Choosing a high-coverage paint will make the process easier and cut down on the number of coats you need.
2-Preparation
Remove the light fixture from the ceiling, or cover it with a drop cloth. Take down wall décor such as pictures, clocks, and mirrors. Cover radiators, doors, and trim with drop cloths. Move all furniture out of the room, or place it in the center and protect it with a drop cloth. Don’t skip this step—proper prep saves you hours of cleanup later.
3-Start with the Ceiling
Always begin with the ceiling so you don’t drip paint onto freshly painted walls. Use a high-quality roller with an extension pole to reach the ceiling easily and reduce drips. Apply one coat in a single direction, let it dry for about 5 hours, then apply a second coat in the opposite direction for even coverage. “Related post: How to paint a bathroom ceiling“
4-Cut In Before Painting the Walls
When the ceiling is fully dry and painted, it’s time to start painting the room’s walls. Start with “cutting in,” which means painting the edges and corners with a brush. Use a 2-inch or 2.5-inch angled brush along window and door frames, as well as where the wall meets the ceiling. Apply two coats, waiting about 5 hours between them. If you notice brush marks, thin the paint with about 10% water (for water-based paint) or the appropriate thinner. “This post might be helpful: Painting edges without tape.”
5-How to Paint Room Walls
Now it’s time to paint the walls. 💡 Tip: Before room painting, priming dark walls helps the new paint cover more effectively. Use a high-quality roller when painting the main wall areas of the room. Dip the roller into the tray, then roll off the excess. Begin room painting from a corner of the wall and continue across the surface. There are two common techniques:
- Make an “N” or “M” shape on the wall, then fill it in for even coverage.
- Roll in long vertical strokes from top to bottom in strips.
If your roller runs out of paint mid-stroke, reload it and continue where you left off. After a few sections, lightly roll over the painted area without reloading the roller. This method ensures a smooth, streak-free finish when painting a room. Paint the entire room this way, applying at least two coats for the best finish.
6-Final Touches
After the second coat dries, inspect the room carefully before removing painter’s tape and drop cloths. If paint has dripped onto trim, doors, or radiators, wipe it gently with a damp cloth. For stubborn spots, wipe gently with a warm, damp cloth—or use a small amount of paint thinner if needed. “This post might also interest you: How to paint walls without streaks.”
